| Return to Paradise: 2006 |
[Jan. 15th, 2006|06:50 pm]
eddsamuelson
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| [ | Current Mood |
| |  happy | ] |
hi:
i skipped a few months, as i journeyed back and forth to the usa. my last return was october 16, to complete a program with the center for sacred leadership. when that completed, i decided i would stay for thanksgiving and christmas and new years. whew, i am glad to be home.
some place in the journey, i purchased a home in ajijic, painted and purchased furniture. then on a trip to chapala with my friend beverly hunt, i purchased two more homes....and yes, i sold my place in ajijic. that closing occurred 11/15. on my return to paradise in janaury 2006, i purhased two places. i now have an architect, and will hire a contractor on monday of this coming week. it will take 30 days to complete the casita, and 3.5 months for the casa. i am excited. as you might expect, my purchase in non-traditional. both are in a very very mexican neighborhood. both have a view of lake chapala.
i am residing in an apartment of beverly hunt's, laguna realty. it is a few blocks from the plaza and the work to be completed.
i am beginning spanish on monday, and i'm excited about that.
edd |
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| A REVIEW: 01/22 - 2/12, Mexico.... |
[Feb. 13th, 2005|09:10 pm]
eddsamuelson
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| [ | Current Mood |
| | calm | ] |
REFLECTION - The following is my final reflection on my visit to mexico....Some a review, some new....
JANUARY 22, 2005
I'm aware of who I am becoming discontented with the lack of authenticity in America. I'm in Guanajuato and am enthralled by how very real of life is around me. The buildings are natural materials, with tile. The city is charming, and yet, its beauty if in the authenticity. It is not perfect, and cars are not allowed on many streets. There are many people just on the streets. There are lots of places to sit and rest. The streets are rough, and blend well with everything. There are lots of fountains, and many plants, everywhere.
We are in an "I have an issue with xxx," that people have forgotten we could just live in peace and be good to each other, if we chose. If there is a strong value system based upon being in service and loving, there is no need to embrace the dark side in an intellectual process of being real. JUST DON'T believe that one.
I find it awkward and embarrassing to not be able to speak spanish. A couple of the women staying in the Del Real home have been here 3 months, and will stay 3 more months. I think that would be great...and at $1,000/mo, room/board/language...coole. I'm thinking. Now I must get my cv ready and see about teaching in Mexico.
So, the home i'm in is 5 narrow stories. I'm on the top floor, next to an old man who watches tv like it was sun light. The home is constructed like a fortress, and is silent from the city noise. The man next door just closed his door, and it is quiet - whew!
Going into the city at night is great. It is like being in Italy at the Via Cavour in Italy. The streets are filled with people walking and sitting. There are a lot of street musicians - everywhere. There is always traditional music in the air.
Sunday, January 23
I was to be up at nine, and set my alarm for Saturday. I awoke to the bell from the church. It sounds like it is about six inches from my head. Then I heard someone yelling it waste time to get up - seemed like a community thing. Then the front door bell rang a lot....and I realized I could not roll over one more time.
I got up showered, and my meal was awaiting. There was an assortment of Mexican sweet bread, fried eggs, beans, juice and tea.
Victor, one of seven sons, is to come by, and show me the falcon institute.
What is emerging: I know that I appreciate diversity. I have an aversion for how huge nations want to do away with diversity and small nations.
January 24, 2005 - MONDAY
Today was my first day as a novice. My entrance exam, was 6 pages without more than 6 words. With a frew spanish words with me, I was assigned to four coures, each occurring for one hour for each of the five days of the week. I had private one on one lessons.
The Falcon is an imposing and decomposing structure, painted a bright blue. I entered, found the office, turned in my exam, and received my course list. I found much silence, not wanting to or even being able to carry on a conversation. I'm quite excited at the possibility now presented to me. As and once my first day terminated, I wished I had planned months. So, now I know I can return.
I love the city as a gallo (roster) crowing wso pleasantly - reminding me of my childhood. At nite there is a chorus of dogs...hundreds that find a time and all harmonize with each other. Fortunately, they do stop at some point. I find it funny that they just do this social barking. I never notice them during the day.
America seems to have given up so much so a few could become so rich. A. Families require 3 people to make the same as one did in 1963.
B. Community has been given up to be replaced by strip malls.
C. Commerce has been driven by the notion of 1. Corporations and branding, and 2. Chains and Franchises
The result is that diversity has been driven from the Amereican environment, replaced by sameness, productivity, and efficiency.
The result is so strange, leaving a whole population devoid of real meaning or purpose, other than accumulation of wealth, devocie of any other meaning. Whew! What a burden.
WEDNESDAY, February 2
The days seem to have become so much the same. The routine is much the same each nite. This is the greater routine, like;
A. 7:00 AWAKEN
B. READING AND STUDYING
C. STRETCHING
D. BREAKFAST. It is composed of fruite juice, pan, and hot leche.
e. Grab a bu about 8:30, and go to the area of the Falcon and walk. I sometimes stop for coffee at a hotel.
F. Classes begin at 9;30. I've felt disappointed in how I don't easily just know everything. Classes go until 2pm when I leave and wonderwalk back to the Del Real home. This is the time that I check for email and make phone calls.
G. Lunch/Supper begins about 3pm or so.
H. I study until about 7PM, and then I venture out. Last evening I came upon a group of children being taught local folk ballet. They were amazing. All were dressed in black. The boys in pants, the girls in very round flowing skirts. It was amazing to watch their excitement. I usually end this segment by having a few cervesa and reading before going home. I am finding this routine rather nice. I am in bed by 10PM.
I've been reading the Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukov, and am noticing that I want my life to be clearly intentional:
A. I intend to launch my business this year.
B. I intend to have a co-nurturing spiritual partnership.
C. I intend to live a life of reverence.
D. I intend to have a loving and joyful relationship with joad.
E. I intend to be financially independent.
F. I intend to live in a home that is paid for by the end of this year.
I am excited to get home and listen to the two Zukov cd's that i've ordered.
FEBRUARY SIX, 2005 - SUNDAY
Whew, Sandra and Gary came to Guanajuato and picked me up. I'm now in Ajijic in their new home. Their home is amazing. The city is fascinating, and typical. It looks one way; however, behind the walled homes and businesses, there is such beauty and grandure. It is truly mystery.
It has been an intense journey into culture and language. There are many things I just don't know, and am open to and willing to learn.
During my time in Mexico, I've kept in mind to beware of what is emerging.
A. In reading the 'seat of the soul,' i've become more and more how dysfunction is the norm for many people. What is emerging is my lack of willingness to be abused by those who act out of their dark side. And of course being human, they believe they are right.
B. In my learnings, i've been told, and learned that people change their behavior when they get tired.
B.1 I've gotten tired of classical personal growth groups, after having passed the 1,000 hour mark.
B.2 It is all about the experience, and how I feel, nothing else. This follows either the seat of the soul, or abraham-hicks.com. Both would support the notion that to continue in anything, it must be about a positive experience. And, what I learned and continue to learn, is that dysfunctional people cannot be changed. It does not mean that I am not compassionate, I truly am. I just have the intentions of my life to foucs on, and they are not part of my intentions. In other words, I am more intentional about how I use my energy and focus.
I have a week to do nothing, except enjoy the Mexican culture, and read. |
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| MEXICO - guanajuato & the academie falcon |
[Feb. 9th, 2005|09:08 pm]
eddsamuelson
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| [ | Current Mood |
| | chipper | ] |
hello, from ajijic
mexico:
i have completed my second and last week in guanajuatoand am off to ajijic for another
week. i thought i would begin with a suggestion from a friend as a way to look at the
world. i mean, remember, it is all an illusion, and certainly has
become more so for me in the past number of years. here goes:
Maybe the longer you're there, the more observant you will become to
the aspects of life there that have similarities to what we think of
as "dull, uninteresting, problematic" here!! Or maybe not. Your fresh
eyes are seeing the new, the colorful, the joyful. Of course, maybe
that's exactly what there is to see! Maybe when you get home, you can
see the new, colorful, and joyful here as well! Interesting idea.
dull, uninteresting, problematic:
there is so much here that would not be tolerated in the usa. i mean,
we´ve got lots of rules, and well organized cities, and lots of data
for maps, and internet web sites. as tom peters would say of
business, probably applies to many other areas. he claims that with
all of the MBA´s, and best practices, we´ve brought american business
to it´s knees, and no place to go. i think he means boring. well, a
city can be the same way, as interesting as it may be.
the city: in guanajuato, mexico, the city winds, with some streets
for cars, and many that are for only people. so, it is easy to get
from one place to another, and not be bothered with cars. oh, and
there is vegetationevery-placee. so many people decoratge with potted
plants, all over a balcony, a stair, an atrium.
doors: the doors of places are so interesting. what is even more
interesting is peeking inside and seeing the amazing walk ways, court
yard, and plants. everything is diverse.
women - they hang out on the street, same as men. they just hang,
enjoying themselves. other than coffee shops in america, i don´t see
this, nor do i seemiddle-agee women. i don´t know if they are happy
with their roles, but they appear contented. then there are the young
women. look just like american women: spike heels, tight levis,
fancy glam accessories - yep, all around.
families - i mean they hang out in plazas and just enjoy themsleves.
there are many children, and a lot of babies. i recently watched two
young boys, each with a very small dog on a leash, play, play, and
play. running, chasing, smiling.
music - i continue to be impressed with how many people are musically
incliend. i watched a professional group, dressed to the nines,
velvet, gold, streamers, and all. then on the other hand a group of
about 50 young people paraded up and down the street being lead by 3
young guitar musicians. all were singing at the top of their lungs.
benches - there are benches all over. i mean places to just sit down
and enjoy life.
community - i think that community is a key value and element of
mexico, that is not evident in america. there are not lots of plazas,
and certainly not lots of benches. it appears to me that people are
just happy being who they are. one can chide me on the notion of
poverty. i think poverty is a word and construct of the more
industrialized world, to force domestication upon the more simple
contented people. so, then they won´t be. just a thought and an
observation.
young people: wow, at nite they rule. they are out and about laughing
and having fun. in the internet cafe i am in at this moment there are
4 men and 6 women. of the 10, there is only one over 30. i think the
whole environment of mexico is changing with the young people. at the
school i attend, all of my instructors are 30. maybe a few reach 35.
and they are patient with me. one of myhouse-matess, ricardo, age 18,
is a freshman at university of guanajuato. he and i, and his
engineering buddies hang out and drink cervesa. he's mature,
conversational, and genuinely a great guy.
perception of america: i've been treated very well. i have inquired
with others, and generally, many americans are rude. they throw money
down on a table. they will throw assignments - sliding them across a
table. as i've inquired further, i found that what most people from a
number of places in the world dislike is GEORGE W. BUSH.
hmmmmmmmmmmm. i'd like to think they like , 'we the people,' but it
is hard to separate the institution of the government, from geo w.
darn, i hate to hear that.
the streets: are amazing. they are made of stone, and narrow. the
autobus that i ride to school, sometimes almost reaches both sides of
the street. the buses travel, almost like they are on a freeway -
fast. they are like big hauling trucks, not too comfortable. they
are efficient. i pay 15 cents one way.
the end of the second week: i decided that jumping into a new
language and culture is one of the most difficult things i've ever
done. i've learned a lot, and am happy. let's be real. of a
knowledge base we call 100, i know about 1/4 of one percent of the
total....so i have more to learn.
i took a cooking class, and a dancing class. both were taught in
fluent spanish. oh my. in cooking, we created amazing dishes, all
from fresh ingredients. i have photos. the frozen, look alike stuff
will never satisfy me again.
in the dance class, the instuctor really crammed a lot into the class.
likeeverythingg else, i need to practice in the dark for awhile
before i get on stage. lol, lol.....i'm going to a bar tonite to take
a salsa class 'en masse,' just to practice.
dull, uninteresting, problematic: i do find that with many things,
the variety keeps the spice alive. there are many stairs, and i am
tired most of the time. much of my life has fallen into a routine,
but not quite dull, or un interesting. i haven' seen any problems,
excpet some data base stuff residing in america. for the moment, i am
still in a wonderland. yes, i am glad i have only intensely studdied
for two weeks. but, i will come back to guanajuato, maybe to do
marketing for the falcon, teach english as a second language, or maybe
i'll venture to teach at the university of guanajuato.
tomorrow, i'll go on a hike, if it is not too cold, and go to the
clubs in the evening with a bunch of the people from falcone....unless
i hear from sandra...
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....guess that is it for now..
NEXT, sandra and gary will pick me up on sunday, and i'll return to
their new home in ajijic for a week. it has been fun.
i hope you've enjoyed my comments....
i wonder what is next in the world of portland.or.usa.edd
i'll be home 2/12.....
lovedd |
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| Guanajuato, Mexico, end of First Week at Falcon Institute |
[Jan. 31st, 2005|09:01 pm]
eddsamuelson
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| [ | Current Mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
hello dear friends:
thought you might enjoy hearing of my adventure in guanajuato, mexico,
staying with a private family, and learning spanish at falcon instituto.
i've just finished listening to-reading, the davinci code. talk about the
marginialization of women - yikes. yes, mexico is a nation where men
are incharge. the blessing is everyone knows their role. just how it is.
i would love to know the secrets and origins of christianity, not what
i was taught, or is written, but what no one wants us to know...lol, lol...
so for one cent, i purchase on amazon, 'seat of the soul' by gary zukov.
one of his statements has me mezmerized, ' Of one thing we can be certain: a ´
person that is engaging in violence is hurting deeply, because a healthy and
balanced soul is incapable of harming another. so, 'a' this seems to support
the possibility of an 'issue free life.' i'm up for it. lol, lol.
the following are comments, oh so randomly pasted together. they are organized with the most current first, and the first day
at the end.
love e
my journey continues to be very interesting, as i notice what is around me,
what i do and where i go.
-----------------------------------------------
END OF THE FIRST WEEK:
a. technology - it hasn´t stolen the heart of the people here; however, in
my family, tv is a key element of life - always on. there are some cell
phones, but not a lot. on the other hand there are many internet cafes. i
pay about ten pesos for one hour, i.e., about a dollar. most of the ten
stations in the cafe i go to are used by young women. sometimes there are
men, but usually in the minority.
b. music - no matter where i go there is music, all mexican for the most
part. inside, like an internet cafe, there is american music playing.
what is great is that in the evening, the streets have many musicians.
c. the people - are very well dressed. in the morning it is so much fun
to watch children and parents head to the schools. the children, many are
in uniforms. all are very neat.
d. safety - though safety is talked about, the place seems safe. there
are police on the streets. all is well.
the falcon: www.academiafalcon.com
learning, is slow, as it is so based upon rote memorization. i need
practical application to really learn well. so i am waiting to get home to
be with jes-enrique and simply practice a lot. i´ll probably do a berlitz
intensive over a couple of weeks to anchor what i am learning. i finished
my first week, and am beginning to speak. i do need patient listeners.
this morning i was in a group of mostly very young students, as young as
19. they were talking of spending the evening getting drunk. one young
woman stayed up until 3am, and was drunk when she awoke this am. wow -
things are the same here, i guess.
the student base is very international with people from russia,
switzerland, and america, and not all speak english.
next week will be fun when the mexican students come back from break.
this week my courses included: and i had private tutors all week.
conversation
advanced conversation
and pronunciation
next week:
conversation - private 1x1
mexican dancing - yea!
private - 1x1, what ever i want
conversation - 1x1
Events:
a. tonite, friday evening i´ll go with a group of troubadores - who dress
elegantly and wander the streets singing. this is called callejoneada. it
is a trou through the picturesque streets. i will enjoy the traditional
songs of the ´´estudiantina.´´ this evening event is to end at the
callejon del beso´ where i´ll listen to a romantic tale of the young
lovers. it starts at 8:45 pm, so i will be out later. usually i´m in bed
by 10pm. (can you believe)
b. tomorrow, saturday, i will go on a day adventure to a hot springs,
other:
a. reading and studying: i´ve finished reading-listening to the davinci
code. it leads me to the conclusion that i don´t know very much about the
true origins of religion, the political implications, and the primary truth
about the divine feminine. i´m now listening to recent cd-roms from
www.abraham-hicks.com, and yes, i continue to love the positive influence.
when i get home, i´ll order a meditation cd from www.centerpointe.org that
is advanced technology that de-stresses quickly and effectively. my friend
susan says they are great, and she has tried many approaches to learning
and self development.
b. communication: i carry my pocket pc-phone, and check email 2-3 times a
day, as well as have my cell @503-267-4834.
----------------------------------------------->
the myster é´continues to unfold. i am woken by gallo (roster) in the
morning, in the middle of this amazing city. i also hear the ringing of a
catherdal bell - 12 significant bongs, followed by one more.
i haven´t risen at 7am, for decades, as far as i can remember. so i awaken
to my alarm, rise and shower. i stretch a bit, study spanish, listen to
the davinci code, and then descend the stairs to an awaiting breakfast of
fresh fruit (frutas), bread (pan), and warm milk (leche). i could have
more food if i wanted. i leave and walk to the bus stop and take the
´presa´bus to the school (falcon institute). it costs me 1.5 pesos, or
maybe 15 cents.
i have four classes each day: communication, grammar, advanced garmmar,
and then pronunciation. i attend from 8:30 am until 1:00 am. i have a 30
minute break between my third and fourth class. i go to the cafeteria and
have a fresh torta and coffee. i attend my fourth class, then i am free
until i go back for a planned event. last nite it was a movie in spanish
with english subtitles. tonight, it will be a gathering of the english
speaking, and the mexican students. 1/2 of the time it is to support the
english students to learn spanish, and then the spanish-mexican students to
learn english. that will be fun.
for some moments i think: oh my with so many pages of notes, will i ever
learn. today i awoke knowing a few things, and being willing to open my
mouth and speak. it is fun. the institute is 17 years old, and is casual.
it seems like summer camp. there are quite a few people from oregon, and
have been for a number of years.
can you imagine what it would be like to have life centered around family.
i mean where it doesn´t take two - three people to make enough to keep the
family alive. i live with the del real family. this includes the senora
(the mom), two older men, (one the father, and one the uncle), two of the
seven sons, and two children of one of the sons. (poco). the senora always
prepares the meals. they are prepared from all fresh ingredients. each
course is served and placed gently infront of me. most have a special
garnish.
the founder of the school is quite metaphysical, and has a great sense of
humor. he commented perhaps that i should work for him in marketing the
institute, for say 6 months...i think i am close to heaven.
can you imagine living in a world where greed, manipulation and power
become less obvious than our america. i´ve read that wealthy nations tend
to want to destroy the less wealthy and poorer nations, making them models
of themselves. i can´t believe we´ve given up so much in the name of
corporation, replication, chain, and franchise. yes, i´m still synical of
how my nation has become.
there is so much beauty, from the people to all of the environment. can
you imagine living where there are not huge numbers of rules that cause
construction to be so uniform that it is boring. here, the whole town is
amazing. the old remains, as the new is built into and around.
construction can be tile, brick or rock. the town was not contructed as a
freeway, so there are many streets that are for walking. of those streets
where the autobus and car can drive, they are wide enough for one lane.
the autobuses seem to fill many streets from side to side.
-----------------------------------------------
END OF THE FIRST DAY:
it has been many years since i´ve felt so happy and contented, and i don´t
few people that i know, and i am happy in this space.
almost time for my seven course main meal of the day. it is served about
3pm.
hi....i´m here. the city is amazing. it is such a contrast to what has
happened to america. everything is fresh, unique and interesting. the
perfection is in the imperfection.
i set my alarm for 9am on saturday, so i was to go to falcon institute with
victor - one of 7 brothers -, but i guess that will happen another day.
tomorrow...up bright and early<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<...oh my.....today i finally
got up at nine, and then after breakfast, took a good nap. now, i´m on the
street again.
the food is great, on saturday it was a 7 course meal, breakfast was fried
eggs, beans, juice, tea, and mexican pan.
i love to wonder the streets and watch the very happy people. last
evening, the streets were filled like when i visited italy. in front of a
beautiful theatre street commedians performed and everyone laughed. i
really love what i´ve seen so far, and know as i learn the language...one
of the people staying with the family i´m with, has been here three months,
and will stay three more. wow, i could do the same thing. |
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